Marni Graveline
Director of Educational Services, School Psychologist
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher
Marni Graveline, M.A., is a school psychologist with 20 years experience in public education. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in psychology with specialization in school psychology and counseling. She earned her National Credential in School Psychology (NCSP). Marni’s desire to help struggling learners has fueled her passion for working in the education field. Marni holds a Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Certificate from the International Dyslexia Association’s Center for Effective Reading Instruction. Marni is married with two teenagers and two dogs. She is involved with the Tacoma City Ballet as a character dancer in ballet productions. She also enjoys reading, camping, and watching movies.
Diane Kehm
Director of Operations and Grants
Diane began her long-time relationship with ARK Institute of Learning in 2008 as a grant writing contractor. A short time later, she also became responsible for communications, marketing, and publications. Her role continued to grow over the years, and in 2017 she transitioned from contractor to employee and was hired on staff as a Business and Grants Coordinator. In 2020, she advanced to Director of Operations and Grants. Diane works collaboratively in leadership with Marni Graveline. Diane earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University. She enjoys spending time with her family and pets, volunteering for the humane society, cheering on the Seahawks, and learning how to crochet amigurumi.
Sheri Hamlow
Educational Therapist
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher
Sheri is an Applied Behavior Analyst. She is a co-instructor of the ARK Training Program so her experience and education are a great resource for the entire ARK team. Opening the doors of learning is what inspires her work. Outside of work, this die-hard Washington State Cougar loves to cook.
Nick Mobus
Educational Therapist
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher
Nick earned a B.S. degree in Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Organic Chemistry. He has spent several years working as a private math and science tutor in the greater Tacoma area. He has a tremendous amount of experience helping students understand higher levels of math and science. Nick holds a Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Certificate from the International Dyslexia Association’s Center for Effective Reading Instruction. In his free time, he enjoys occasionally indulging in devious strategizing while playing board games.
Robert Wengrod
Educational Therapist
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher
Robert Wengrod, Ed.S., has 34+ years’ experience as a special education teacher, diagnostician and case advisor and manager in public, private and charter schools. At ARK, he administers and interprets cognitive and academic evaluations, and implements interventions in reading, math, and written expression. His passion is providing support and teaching advocacy skills to individuals with learning disabilities and dyslexia. Robert successfully works with parents, teachers, and school administrators to ensure student success and independence. He is a founding Board member of the Southwest Branch of the International Dyslexia Association and served as its President, Treasurer and on its Advisory Committee prior to his move to the Northwest. Robert and his wife Kathy live in Tacoma; their daughter works for the U.S. Senate.
Caroline Swinehart, C-SLDS
Instructional Specialist
Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist
Caroline has been designing and implementing learning interventions for over 10 years. She prioritizes two things when working with clients: (1) learner-led goals, and (2) in-depth thinking and learning. Caroline spent several years as an ARK Educational Therapist, has mentored and trained fellow instructors, and has held teacher workshops. Caroline holds a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist certification from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (C-SLDS). She earned a BA Philosophy and a BS in Mathematics, with a Music minor. Caroline serves on the Advisory Board of the Tacoma Area Literacy Council.
Griffin McCullough
Instructional Specialist
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher
Griffin, a Tacoma native, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Washington. He was in the hospitality industry for 20 years, which included training staff and creating and implementing systems within new institutions. Additionally, Griffin has several years of volunteering in support of Tacoma’s local art community and coaching youth sports teams. His general passion for helping others reach their potential has led him to ARK and compelled him to earn a teaching certificate. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing indoor soccer, board games, singing, and playing piano.
Kim Beggs
Instructional Specialist
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher
After nearly 20 years in higher education, Kim transitioned to working with kindergarten students for 10+ years. She loves working one on one with early learners, helping them gain skills and confidence. Prior to working with young children, Kim earned a BA degree in Psychology and an MEd in Higher Education Administration. She spent several years as an educational planner at a community college before moving into college administration as a Director of Student Services. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with family, watching baseball, gardening and reading.
Adrina Bacon
Instructional Specialist
Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher
Adrina holds a BA in Social Welfare and Master in Teaching. She is an experienced educator with more than 25 years as a Classroom Teacher and Reading Specialist. She is also a member of the Orton Gillingham Academy, certified at the Associate Level. Her passion for teaching students with Dyslexia was born during her time as a Reading Specialist. She brings this unique perspective in her understanding of the instruction that students have received in school and what they now need; and she is able to meet students where they are to provide the diagnostic and prescriptive instruction to meet those needs. Adrina and her husband have 3 young adult(ish) children. She loves God, the sunshine, long walks and good books.
Trisha Staiger
Administrative Coordinator
Trisha earned a B.S. in Community Health Education. She has spent her career assisting learners while advocating for equal access to education. Trisha brings to ARK her extensive experience working with students with learning differences. Her passion is implementing strategies to reduce barriers to education and helping students achieve academic success. Formerly an ARK Instructional Specialist, Trisha now lends her expertise to ARK as an Administrative Coordinator with an emphasis on supporting clients and their families. Outside of work, Trisha enjoys spending time with family, hosting dinner parties, and reading historical fiction.
Begin your journey to learning success.
“The most rewarding thing about working with clients is helping them to understand concepts that weren’t very clear before; the moment they start catching on is really neat to experience. The most unexpected thing is getting to see firsthand how different everyone’s learning profile is. The phrase ‘no two people think alike’ is truer than I ever knew!”
